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Harley-Davidson Rides Onto the Comic Book Scene

San Diego, CA – JOHNNY DELGADO IS DEAD is set to make its
world debut on July 26th, 2007 in San Diego, CA, at the comic industry’s
biggest event, Comic-Con International. Created by Kompany X and published
by Top Cow productions, JOHNNY DELGADO IS DEAD centers on two childhood
friends who are bound by the code of brotherhood, loyalty…and fate.
Closer than brothers, one is destined to die and the other to secure justice
as a tale of corruption and murder along the U.S./Mexican border unfolds.

This title was created by Kompany X founder John Leekley, the Emmy®
award-winning writer/executive producer of “Spawn: The Animated Series,”
Michael D. Olmos, director of the Dark Horse feature film Splinter and Roger
Mincheff, the founder of Spacedog Entertainment and Executive Producer of
Sony’s “The Covenant” and creates a modern Latino archetype Based loosely on
the legends of Pancho Villa and Zorro, JOHNNY DELGADO IS DEAD is
groundbreaking by having broad appeal while based in the rich culture and
lifestyle of the Hispanic community, one that has largely been ignored by
the comic book industry.

Spacedog Entertainment approached Harley-Davidson Motor Company in the
developmental stages of their comic project. The lead characters in the
story, Johnny Delgado and Victor Reyes, personify the Harley-Davidson brand
through their adventurous spirit and rebel attitudes. Growing up in a tough
neighborhood, the young boys stayed off the streets by helping out at the
local motorcycle shop where they gained their love of bikes and the freedom
of the open road.

“We initially approached Harley-Davidson because our hero is a modern day
Zorro and today Zorro’s steed would be a Harley. Nothing else would have
made sense,” says Roger Mincheff, CEO & President of Spacedog Entertainment.
“There are brands that define a lifestyle. As our relationship developed,
Harley’s rich brand helped us further develop the richness of our hero. The
ability to use that image lends authenticity to the lifestyle portrayed in
this story.”

“After reviewing the project, we knew it was something that Harley-Davidson
needed to support,” says Matt Schmidt, Entertainment Marketing Project
Manager at Harley-Davidson. “The theme of brotherhood is at the heart of
our brand.”

“As a proud member of the Latino community, it was a thrill to write
something that honors those roots but at its core is just a great and
classic story told through a visually stunning medium,” says Michel Olmos
(son of the legendary Edward J. Olmos). Mincheff and artist Chris Moreno
are all of Latino descent, which contributes to the authenticity of the
story.

Since 1992, Top Cow Productions has cemented itself as one of the leading
comic book publishers in the business. With titles like LARA CRAFT TOMB
RAIDER, WITCHBLADE, THE DARKNESS and WANTED, Top Cow has established itself
as a pipeline for new franchises that resonate with the comic book audience.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be publishing this book and working with such
talented writers as John and Michael, in addition to one of the great
American motorcycle brands, Harley-Davidson” says Filip Sablik, Vice
President of Marketing & Sales for Top Cow. “One of the things that excites
us about this story is the appeal it will have to Latino communities as well
as the entire comic book and graphic novel field.”